The Whys

Why Heap Coals?
Well, Jesus said to be good to your enemies, and pray for them which spitefully use you.
 In doing this, you will be heaping coals upon their heads.

This sounds painful.
Sometimes, we'd just plain like to see some pain heaped upon our enemies.

However, it is not as simple as that.
With Jesus, nothing is so simple that there is not a deeper meaning for those with ears to hear.

There was a custom, back in the day.
People did not have electric-start gas burners, or propane tanks, or Bic lighters.
Sometimes, instead of running next door for a cup of sugar (does anyone do that any more?)
they would go borrow a few coals from their neighbor to get the fires ignited in their own houses.
Allegedly, they carried these coals on their heads, I suppose in some type of vessels.

Jesus, really?
Can You not stop this relentless demand to bless those who have hurt us?

Some have said that the fire of God upon the head of an enemy
will cleanse and purge  their conscience,
bringing on repentance.

I sure hope so.
Because seriously, Jesus, I am waiting for the day my enemy comes to me and says:

"I am really really sorry for bringing destruction and pain to your family,
 for being an ungodly influence,
 bent on carnal delights,
 rather than being a Proverbs 31 woman who adds wisdom and love into your family."

I am really waiting for that moment in time.
I am waiting for repentance in the life of my enemy.

So this heaping coals stuff sounds pretty good,
even if it is not exactly what I had in mind.

This blog is for keeping it real.
I have spent so many years saying the right Christian phrases concerning my enemy,
speaking love and hope and giving her credit for things she does not deserve.
I was told that anything less than this was lack of faith.

I have lived five years now feeling ashamed that  this has happened to me, to my family.
I have cried, repented, suffered and died over anything I have  ever done to allow this to occur.
(Because, keeping it real, I have caused my share of havoc in the lives of others, back in the day.)

I know in the end, Jesus' way is the Only Way, the Right Way, the Way that works.

But sometimes you just gotta mourn with those who mourn,
and weep with those who weep.
Sometimes you gotta let folks be real.